Origins of Goth(ic Punk)

I didn’t realize I was a Goth until I moved to the US to go to NYU. Growing up in the UK in the early 80’s the music of bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, and Cocteau Twins was just what was played on the radio. I remember walking into the dining hall freshmen year of college and looking at all the cliques to decide where I wanted to sit. In one corner there was a huge contingent of torn t-shirts, spiky haircuts, and Doc Martens boots all sitting together. I thought to myself “that’s where I want to sit.”

Trash Theory on YouTube does excellent short videos on the history of popular music. In this video he draws a convincing line between Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Bauhaus. Worth checking out if you’re into the post-punk music of the 70s and 80s.